Effect of Morus alba (white mulberry) leaf on HbA1c of patients with type II diabetes mellitus

@#Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a wide spread metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. In Pakistan, many traditional or medicinal plants are being used to treat ailments or disorders, both in children and adults. To date, there has been no research study done to investigate the effect of Morus alba (white mulberry) leaves on blood glucose levels of individuals with type II diabetes mellitus in Pakistan. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of Morus alba (white mulberry) leaf powder on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Methods: The study design of this study was a randomised controlled trial. Eighty patients with type II diabetes mellitus were randomly selected from the Fatima Memorial Hospital and were equally divided into two groups - control group and experimental group. Patients in the control group were asked to follow their regular hypoglycaemic medications, while patients in the experimental group were administered with 500mg of Morus alba leaf tablet twice a day, 15 minutes before breakfast and dinner, along with their regular hypoglycaemic medications. HbA1c of patients in both groups were assessed on day zero before the study and on the ninetieth day at study completion. Results: HbA1c of patients in the control group at baseline was 8.92% and 8.91% at final, whereas HbA1c of patients in the experimental group at baseline was 9.13% and 8.59% at final. Conclusion: The results of this study concluded that Morus alba leaves had a significant effect in lowering high blood sugar levels.

Correlation of gestational lipid profile with neonatal birth weight

Lipids are heterogeneous group of water insoluble [hydrophobic] organic molecules that can be extracted from tissues by non polar solvent. Because of their property of insolubility in water they are mainly found in different compartments, mostly associated with membranes enclosing various cell organelles. The objective of this study was to find the correlation of gestational lipid profile with neonatal birth weight. Prospective analytical study of 100 Pakistani pregnant women [non diabetics and non-hypertensive] was carried out at Social Security Hospital, Lahore. Blood samples were collected from all the pregnant women during 24 - 36 weeks of pregnancy. Serum was separated by centrifugation process and stored in deep freezer at - 2 to -4[degree sign] C prior to processing and later on used for the estimation of lipid profile. The weight of each baby was done at the time of delivery. Positive correlation was found between material cholesterol levels and neonatal birth weight. Maternal lipid profile should be kept under check to control the weight of newborn baby

Iron deficiency anemia significance of serum ferritin in diagnosis in pregnant females of Pakistan

Anemia is very common especially in developing countries and in Pakistan 70-80% of pregnant population is suffering from iron deficiency anemia. Ferritin is intracellular globular iron storage protein. The low level of ferritin indicates lack of iron that may lead to anemia and its high values may indicate iron overload. To determine the incidence of anemia on the basis of ferritin in three socioeconomic groups i.e. poor, middle and upper class and in three trimesters of pregnancy. Total 45 pregnant females were selected and divided in three categories of poor, middle, and upper class based on their socioeconomic status. Serum ferritin levels were measured by ELISA method. Total mean serum ferritin [ng/ml] level were found to be 18.5 +/- 3.5, 14.6 +/- 3.0, 14.7 +/- 3.6 in first, second and third trimesters respectively. Serum ferritin was very low in all three socioeconomic groups and it was lowest in poor class as compare to middle and upper class. It was concluded that serum ferritin is a good and reliable marker for detection of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy as compared to hemoglobin